The latest transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies

Stewart Downing to Aston Villa
The Spoiler assumed that replacing Martin Laursen and Gareth Barry would be Aston Villa’s priority right now but apparently not. The Daily Mail claim that Martin O’Neill is looking to thwart Spurs (and they sure will be heartbroken!) by signing Downing on a loan deal with an option to make the move permanent.

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: This has to be nonsense. Villa have a lot of work to do this summer and bringing in someone who plays in the same position as their star player Ashley Young is surely not top of the agenda.

Joleon Lescott staying with Everton
The Daily Star report that Manchester City have been priced out of a move for

The latest transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies

Ruud van Nistelrooy not going to Spurs
Those who were hoping to see the perennially-injured horse-faced Dutchman return to the Premiership may be disappointed by his most recent insistence that he intends to stay in the Spanish capital:

“I am happy at Real and want to go back and get the opportunity to prove myself. I have a strong motivation to succeed at Real.”

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: Unlike his Dutch colleagues, Ruud seems fairly confident of his place in Florentino Perez’s plans. Us? Not so confident.

Armand Traore to Birmingham
Our friends at The Birmingham Mail say the newly promoted side are looking to give yet another temporary home to the left-sided Frenchman, who spent last season at Fratton Park.

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: Kieran Gibbs is probably in front of Traore in the queue